Alan Shearer
scored his first goal at international level for over two years to give
England an encouraging send-off to Euro 96, but the pressure then seemed
to get to the players and they finally finished up happy to escape with a
draw against a well disciplined Swiss side. The Shearer goal -
his first in fourteen England matches -
came midway through the first-half. The two Pauls, Gascoigne and Ince,
combined to put Shearer clear and he hammered the ball in off the near
post to end his famine at the most opportune time. Terry Venables sent on
Nick Barmby, David Platt and Steve Stone in place of Teddy Sheringham,
Steve McManaman and Gascoigne in the seventieth minute as England started
to lose the midfield battle. The goal Switzerland had been threatening
throughout the second-half came from a penalty eight minutes from the end
following a disputed handball by Stuart Pearce. It could have been worse.
Only a magnificent save by David Seaman in the closing moments prevented
Switzerland from snatching a winner. 'We were dead on our feet in the
second-half,' said Venables. 'We know we must improve of this, and out
next game against Scotland is going to be absolutely vital.'